So, recently it seems like Arda's the brand getting all the praise all over the forum for thickness and overall quality, but I've never bought one of their wigs myself, and I'd like to ask a few questions from those of you who have. First of all, I have a fairly small head (21.5"), and I've read that Arda wigs run larger than other brands. That alone is enough to put me off quite a bit - would they be too large for me, even with the hooks adjusted? If so, there's really no point to me buying one at all.

Also, how do they hold up with minimal spiking outward (really, just enough to give it some shape)? I'm looking at both the Jett and the Hansel, but I'm not sure how they do after styling. Jett is about the length I need, but it's got that kind of poof to the top of it - would it tame down well for a more controlled style?

well i can tell you they will be big on you..you MAY wanna go with epiccosplay.com they are a tad bit smaller. but you ask about spiking..ardas wigs that are made for spiking do so very well..the hansel actually is a great wig for spiking..look at this roxas wig i styled for a friend..http://www.cosplay.com/photo/3153599/
i used the hansel (one you asked about) and i can tell you it will work great for that character. with some cutting of course.. but there are many other sites you can buy from that have good wigs that will work..

i know my friend bought a wig from them a while ago. idr what one. but it was fairly stiff and thick. would be great for spiking. it was however way big on her and one of the hooks snapped. so im at a debate myself. i want their wigs but im scared they will be way too big for me D:

I think it's really a case-by-case (or head-by-head) basis, as far as fit goes. My measurement is about 22" and I've fit both china-size wigs and Arda's wigs on my head comfortably. It wasn't noticeably large or anything, and didn't slide around at all even though it was barely pinned on. They even have pictures of several kids wearing their wigs on their site, so yeah. I think it depends just as much on the shape of your head as the size, if that makes sense. Also, if it is too big, and you don't mind the work it would take, they have a tutorial that shows how to make the wigs a bit smaller.

For your second question, the Jett can actually be flattened rather well. It's just a bit fluffed up in the picture.

Aaaalso, the hooks snapping was addressed by making metal hooks available for $1.00 per set of two, with free shipping. So don't let that turn you off the brand

I just got a Jett. It was HUUUUGE. Because I don't have a load of hair to hide underneath, and because I needed the wig to actually sit flush to my head and not poof up like it does with the elastics, I had to actually sew the wig cap to be smaller to fit me. And I have a fairly decent-sized head (22").

But yes, the picture of the Jett they have on their website must be of a fully styled wig, because it comes a lot flatter than that and stays flat fairly well. I'm using it for Roronoa Zoro and while I haven't cut it yet, I foresee having no problem keeping it somewhat flattened down/not crazy-spiked.

__________________Founder and President, Madison Area Costuming Society, a chapter of the International Costumer's Guild

Well, this sounds very, very hit-or-miss in terms of sizing, for those of us with smaller heads - and more miss than anything. I guess it's time to look into another wig! Thanks, everyone, I've been wondering about this for quite a while now.

I just got a Jett. It was HUUUUGE. Because I don't have a load of hair to hide underneath, and because I needed the wig to actually sit flush to my head and not poof up like it does with the elastics, I had to actually sew the wig cap to be smaller to fit me. And I have a fairly decent-sized head (22").

But yes, the picture of the Jett they have on their website must be of a fully styled wig, because it comes a lot flatter than that and stays flat fairly well. I'm using it for Roronoa Zoro and while I haven't cut it yet, I foresee having no problem keeping it somewhat flattened down/not crazy-spiked.

So I'm not the only person who had this problem with the Jett? I also got a Jett back in July, and it was so big on me, you could see the base of the netting around the back of my neck. It was really unpleasant.
But. That might just be an issue with the Jett. Because I also have a Derek, and it seems to fit just fine.

If you're concerned about wig sizing, I would probably avoid ordering an Arda, unless you have a friend who owns one, and you could try it on for size. To be on the safe side, you could try Epic Cosplay, or The Five Wits.

Yeah, I'm aware they can be altered, but that seems like a lot of unnecessary work when I can just get a similar style somewhere else. I think it's great that they cater to people with larger heads, but I kind of wish the people with smaller heads didn't get left out! Ah well, no way to fit everyone at once.